9 The Civil War and Emancipation Free Online FlashCards

What issue chiefly drove the sectional conflict behind the Civil War?

The conflict centered on slavery, especially whether it would expand into western territories and whether slaveholding states could protect it.

How many states seceded before and after fighting began?

Seven Southern states seceded after Lincoln won the 1860 election; four more seceded after fighting began.

What happened at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861?

Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Its surrender prompted Lincoln to call for troops, widening the conflict into war.

What major resources advantaged the Union?

The Union had a larger population, more industry, and greater access to railroads and naval resources.

Why was the Union capture of Vicksburg significant?

The Union capture of Vicksburg in 1863 gave it control of the Mississippi River and divided the Confederacy.

What did the Union achieve at Gettysburg?

At Gettysburg in 1863, Union forces halted Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North.

What was the wider significance of the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg?

Together, the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg marked a major shift in the war’s momentum, though fighting continued for nearly two more years.

What did the Emancipation Proclamation declare, and when did it take effect?

Effective January 1, 1863, it declared enslaved people free in areas still in rebellion against the United States.

What were two important limits of the Emancipation Proclamation?

It did not apply to loyal border states or certain areas already under Union control, and its enforcement depended on Union military success.

How did the Emancipation Proclamation affect Black military service?

It authorized Black men to serve in the Union armed forces. Nearly 200,000 Black soldiers and sailors served, despite discrimination and unequal treatment.

What did the Thirteenth Amendment do, and when was it ratified?

Congress passed it on January 31, 1865, and the states ratified it on December 6. It abolished slavery nationwide, except as punishment for a crime after conviction.

When and where did Lee surrender to Grant, and what followed?

Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Other Confederate forces surrendered later, so fighting did not end instantly.